“The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep…” 

Robert Frost’s immortal words echo in my brain as I recall my two weeks on the annual Crossroads cross-Canada pro-life walk.  I must confess that I felt confident going in:  After all, how hard can a walk across Canada be?  The journey began in Washington, D.C., from where seven of us drove the used but refurbished Crossroads R.V. across the northern United States to the city of Seattle, Washington.  After a few days visiting families of students on Vancouver island, I joined up with the Crossroads group to begin our trek:  On a blustery May 18^th, we dipped our toes in the Pacific Ocean at Kitsilano beach, and, donned with our emblazoned PRO-LIFE t-shirts, put one foot in front of the other. 

The first day took us through most of Vancouver, with numerous shouts of abuse and some of support; many people ignored us (or pretended to) or stared quizzically.  There were eleven walkers:  myself, 8 students from OLSWA, and 2 others, four females and 7 males.  Some others joined us for the beginning of the walk through the city, but by the end of the first day, we were left with the original eleven.  The next day commenced the walk through the countryside: Abbotsford, Mission, and into the rugged mountains of Highway 3. 

The Crossroads Canada group with Archbishop J. Michael Miller of VancouverEight students from OLSWA are walking across Canada this summer with Crossroads to promote the dignity and sanctity of all human life.  Michael Hayden, who just completed his third year at OLSWA, and who served on Crossroads Canada last summer as well, is the group’s leader.  Pictured in the photo to the right of Archbishop J. Michael Miller of Vancouver, Michael is accompanied by OLSWA students Jessica Lamb, Jacinta Fox, Matthew Hatchen, John D’Agostino, Paul Taylor, Ashton Hatchen and  Louise Waclawik. 

Also in the Crossroads group are three other young walkers, and even OLSWA professor John Paul Meenan joined the group for the first leg of the journey. 

OLSWA’s newest residence is going up, and is on-schedule to be available for the Fall Semester.  Under the leadership of James Hanlon, the Academy’s Director of Construction, the highly energy efficient duplex is making rapid progress, despite a delayed start due to an April snowstorm. The storm dumped a heavy blanket of wet snow, making deliveries to the site impossible for several days.

Over 15,000 pro-lifers congregated under sunny skies at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, ON, on May 12 for the 14th National March for Life.  There was a record breaking number of participants, and most of the faces in the sea of people were of youth under 20 years of age.  The Canadian March for Life, which falls after the end of OLSWA’s academic year, is always a form of OLSWA reunion as students, alumni and even faculty and staff meet up to march for the dignity of human life and an end to abortion. 

On Thursday, May 5th, 2011, Barry’s Bay media professional Anton (Tony) Casta gave a talk on “Media and the New Evangelization” at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy. This witty yet profound address challenged educated Catholics to venture forth into the world of e-media boldly and responsibly, and to allow Christ to touch others through their presence. The talk can be viewed here.

Mr. Casta is a renowned web designer, photographer, and film-maker. The talk was co-sponsored by OLSWA and the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, Canadian Branch.

Third-year graduates with Bishop Michael Mulhall.

It was a glorious weekend of celebration at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy.  The eleventh graduation of OLSWA was held in the afternoon on Saturday, April 30th.  Saint Hedwig’s Church was filled with family and friends for the graduation Mass celebrated by His Excellency, Bishop Michael Mulhall of Pembroke.  

Following the graduation ceremony on April 30, 2011, several returning students were awarded scholarships and bursaries.  

 The Spring 2011 edition of OLSWA's regular newsletter, VERITAS, has just been published! Print copies have already been mailed to recipients on the mailing list. If you have not signed up, but would be interested in having future editions of this newsletter delivered straight to your doorstep, free of charge, click here.

Current and past editions of VERITAS, including the latest Spring 2011 edition, are also available to read online, by either clicking here or on the "Newsletter" button, located on the left menu panel. NOTE: Adobe Acrobat 5.0 or later is required.

In the March 2011 issue of the Knights of Columbus Ontario State Bulletin, the Ontario State Council encouraged K of C councils to support the work of Catholic post-secondary institutions such as Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy.

Elaborating on a resolution carried at the 2010 Ontario State Convention which “called for the State to provide details to councils on how to support Catholic education institutions such as Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy,” Ontario State Deputy Arthur Peters wrote:  “The Ontario State Board recognizes the importance of our Catholic education system, and encourages councils to support our schools at all levels. With regard to post-secondary education, councils may wish to consider making charitable donations to support the work of Catholic institutions.”